Gina Williams facts for kids

Gina Williams AM is an Australian singer, songwriter, and author. She comes from Western Australia. Gina has released five music albums. She has also won seven West Australian Music Industry Awards.

Early Life and Language Journey

Gina Williams is a Ballardong Noongar woman. The Noongar people are one of the main Aboriginal groups in Western Australia. Her family also has links to the Kija people from the East Kimberley region.

Gina's parents and grandmother were part of the Stolen Generations. This means they were taken from their families when they were children. They were not allowed to speak their own languages. Because of this, Gina grew up not knowing her true family history or language.

Gina's father passed away when she was 12. She then went into foster care and was later adopted. As an adult, Gina decided to learn about her heritage. She wanted to learn the Noongar language. She said it was like "clawing territory back." She learned the language so she could teach her own children. Gina feels the Noongar language is very musical. She says it "literally sings to me."

When she was a child, Gina dreamed of being a famous singer. She wanted to be like Sarah Vaughan and marry Nat King Cole.

Music Career

Early Solo Work (2000–2010)

In 2001, Gina Williams won her first music award. It was a West Australian Music Industry Award (WAMI) for Indigenous Song of the Year. In 2003, she won another WAMI award. This one was for Most Popular Local Original Indigenous Act.

In 2009, Gina was a main performer for International Women's Day. She also performed at other important events in Western Australia. That same year, at age 40, Gina started learning the Noongar language at TAFE. She was pregnant with her third child. While studying, she wrote her first song in Balladong, called "Iggy's Lullaby."

Later in 2009, Gina wrote a special song called "Wanjoo" (Welcome). It was meant to be a Welcome to Country song for her and her children. A Welcome to Country is a traditional welcome by Aboriginal people. Her language teacher loved the song. This led to Gina teaching it to her classmates. In 2010, Gina performed a show called Gina Williams and the Lubbly Sings. In it, she shared stories about herself and her people.

Collaborations with Guy Ghouse (2011–Present)

Around 2010, Gina started working with guitarist Guy Ghouse. Guy is an Australian musician with Chinese and Indian heritage. He grew up in the Kimberley region.

In 2014, Gina and Guy released their first album together, Kalyakoorl. This means "Forever" in Noongar. The entire album was sung in the Noongar language. Gina's daughters, Lauren and Bella McGill, sang backing vocals on the album.

In 2018, they released their second album, Bindi Bindi. This means "The Butterfly" in Noongar. A reviewer from The West Australian newspaper praised the album. He called it "a triumph" and "a plain lovely musical gem." He said it was important for the Noongar language and culture. Also in 2018, Gina and Guy signed a worldwide deal. This deal helps their music be shared with many people around the world.

Their third album together, Koorlangka, came out in February 2020. Koorlangka means "Children/Legacy" in Noongar. This album has lullabies and children's songs sung in Noongar. It mixes old stories from both Indigenous and Anglo-Saxon cultures. A reviewer said Gina's voice moves between Noongar and English. Guy Ghouse's gentle music backs her soothing voice.

In 2021, Gina released her first book, also called Wanjoo. It has beautiful pictures drawn by students from Ashfield Primary School. Also in 2021, Gina and Guy released a music book. It's called "Kalyakoorl, ngalak warangka" (Forever, we sing). It has music for voice, guitar, and piano. In October 2021, a Noongar opera called Koolbardi Wer Wardong was performed. It tells the story of Koolbardi the Magpie and Wardong the Crow.

Gina and Guy continue to hold free workshops. These workshops teach people about Noongar music and language. They include storytelling, music, and singing together.

Special Recognition

In 2021, Gina Williams received a special award. She was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). This award is for people who have done great things for their country. Gina received it for her work in music, Indigenous culture, and media.

She also joined the Board of Directors for the Australian Music Centre in 2021. In the same year, Gina and Guy were asked to be the first patrons of the Perth International Cabaret Festival. Being a patron means they support and champion the festival.

Discography

Albums

Awards and Nominations

West Australian Music Industry Awards (WAMIS)

The West Australian Music Industry Awards (WAMIS) are awards given each year. They celebrate music artists in Western Australia. Gina Williams has won seven of these awards.

West Australian of the Year Awards

The West Australian of the Year Awards celebrate people from Western Australia. These people have made important contributions in many areas. This includes arts, culture, and helping the Aboriginal community.

Western Australia Women's Hall of Fame

The Western Australian Women's Hall of Fame honors important women. It was started in 2011 to celebrate International Women's Day.